(IC) Escape from Meenlock Prison (Trans-Atlantic)

[MuffinMan]

"I like your eagerness, but hold on," Zal raises his hand. "Does anybody else find it odd that's someone's clearly been through here," he points at the bootprints, "but the road's still blocked?"

Hand on he sword hilt, he walks closer to the fallen tree, taking care not to disturb the existing prints. "Braddock, come here and tell me what you make of this." Squatting down, he peers at the tracks more closely.

Spoiler: Survival Check

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Survival +3 to determine number or type of creatures, or how recent the tracks are. Hopefully with a +2 circumstance bonus from Braddock's aid

[JWallyR]

Braddock walks over to examine the boot prints.

Spoiler: Survival Check

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My survival skill is +3... Perception is -1. Not sure what else is relevant here?

[Farmerbink]

From the back of his pony, Ferdwhipple surveys the area, watching Zalophar and Braddock inspect the tracks. Turning to Ark, he says:

What do you make of this? Clearly, this is the work of brigands, but were they attempting to disrupt our journey, or merely waylay travelers? If the latter, why haven't we been attacked yet? Very curious, indeed.

He continues to look about, drawing his longbow and setting arrow to the string. He peers into the woods, starting on the side nearest to Zalophar and Braddock, moving to the other, if nothing is seen.

Spoiler

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Perception +8

[12StoryCondo]

"Reason number two you always bring an animal with ya." Torban rummages around in his pack for a moment and prduces two coils or ripe, one standard, and the other thinner, paler, and more lustrous. "Do me a favor and keep and eye out while I get these two ready." He indicates the pair of mules and begins lashing the hemp around Harvey in a makeshift harness before loosing him from the cart.

"Sorry about tha rope, Harve. It'll look better on Julie anyway. 'Sides, she may think yer a poof all draped in silks. Hah!" He pats the mule on the neck as he goes about his work.

Spoiler: A plan! Also Plan A.

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Using 50 feet of hemp and silk rope to lash the mules to the log after walking them to the other side of it. Will then offer my strength as well to help pull the log off the path. For the sake of specifics, let's say that from the perspective of us approaching the log on the path, I'm tying them to the far left side to apply the force and pull it forward and right, causing it to imitate a gate in the way it will swing.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Skill Checks

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(1d20+3)[8] Torban's Survival Check
(1d20+3)[12] Braddock's Survival Check
DC 15 Survival Checks, Fail.
(1d20+8)[13] Ferdwhipple's Spot Check (Nothing to see)

With the rain coming down neither Torban nor Braddock can make heads or tails of the tracks. As they set up the ropes and prepare to manhandle the fallen tree Ferdwhipple keeps watch, though nothing presents itself.

About the time the men are ready to start pushing, a young boy comes running down the foot path into the woods. He sees the party and freezes momentarily before turning and running back the way he came, terror apparent on his face.

[Untarr]

Ark watches the kid run away with a curious look in his eye.

Ah yes. I've read a story like this before. The child ended up being an illusion cast by a wizard to lure the heroes into a trap while their belongings were pillaged by his minions. I have found that in the stories, children make the best bait for heroes.

Ark gets off the cart and prepares to follow the child.

We should probably leave some people here, unless we are prepared to lose the cart and mules. Or at the very least, the cart, we can take the mules with us.

[Farmerbink]

(Do we know if we are near any long-standing establishments or townships? If not:)

Ferdwhipple is quite untrusting of this panicked child, or the image of one, at least. Particularly in cohesion with an intentionally felled tree, obstructing the path to our destination.

Nonsense, this is foolishness! Ark, can you not tell if that child is real or illusionary? Regardless, what reason would a child have to run in terror from us? We have done no ill, and mean no one any harm. I've no intention of watching this company fall apart, nor losing near 100g worth of equipment to some figment of an illusionists imagination. We should move this felled tree and be on our way. At the least, we must do something to secure the cart and goods for when we come back.

I think we should let the child run. If he was looking for help, he'd have approached, or at least spoken up. If he's not interested in dealing with us, I'm not interested in running him down, to be sure.

[DarkOne-Rob]

While the bard and wizard stand guard, the other three men spend several minutes of effort moving the felled tree. It takes some grunting, with more than a few slips in the mud before the tree moves, but when it does the mud helps it move easily.

You may continue down the road, losing only about an hour of time. You estimate you will camp once more and reach the prison in the morning.

[MuffinMan]

"Wait, boy! We mean you no harm!" Zalophar calls out to the child as turns and runs.

With a pained look on his face, he turns to Ark and Ferdwhipple. "Illusions? Ambushes? These seem more likely to you than that he was merely frightened at the sight of five well-armed adventurers? You would be so quick to abandon a child out in this", thunder rumbles overhead for emphasis as the rain continues to pour, "on the mere suggestion that something might be amiss?"

Looking around at his companions, Zal's heart sinks as he senses he is in the minority. "I would go after the child, at least to try and learn the truth of things, but if I'm outvoted then that's that." With a last glance at the forest path before turning to pull on the tree, Zal cups his hands to his mouth and bellows, "We won't hurt you! Come back if you need help!"

[Untarr]

Oh, we are going after the child, there is no doubt there. As also there is no doubt that something is amiss. Who would let a child roam around the middle of the forest in a thunderstorm? Either their parents are irresponsible or dead.

Lets see here, irresponsible adult living in the forest....probably a bandit.

Or their guardian is dead...therefore killed by a bandit or similar thing out to kill decent folk.

Either way, we need to decide how we are going to do this. I can use silent image to send out a signal above the treeline if needed. We should leave at least two with the cart. I suspect Zalophar will want to go after the child based off his emotional outburst. I will go as well.

Ark jumps off the cart and gets ready to walk down the trail.

[JWallyR]

Braddock grunts at the idea of chasing down a child in the forest.

It took us long enough to move that cursed tree out of the way that I doubt we'll even find him. By now, I'm more worried that anyone he's run back to is going to find us. I say we move on, we risk an ambush every minute we make ourselves standing targets.

Braddock glowers at the darkening woods around the party before spitting off the side of the trail.

[12StoryCondo]

Torban begins leading the rain-beaten mules back to the cart, one at a time. "Look, if the boy is in real trouble, whatever was chasing him surely'd have crashed into us by now. Else that boy hass been here fer' days, an' he can clearly fend for himself." He redoes Harvey's harness on the cart and tests the snugness and comfort. "Whatever it is, he didn't do anything but run off, and we have a job to do. I'm not in the business of chasing every forlorn waif that runs into unknown, potentially hostile territory, abandoning my work and gear in the process." He snorts through his saturated mustache, pointedly spraying water droplets into the air, Anyway, if he really needs the help, we'll do him no favors by teaching him that people will come to yer' rescue like some fairy tale. Sometimes Fate jes' puts you on yer' own. He'll be fine if he's meant to."

With that, Torban begins leading Julie back to the cart silently.

[Farmerbink]

As much as it pains me to admit it, I fully agree with Torban and Braddock. Given Ark's initial response, I'm surprised he has any interest in charging valiantly into the woods anyway.

Besides, how is hunting a small boy hiding in a rainy forest likely to end well? Methinks most likely, he is either an illusory figment of some magician's brain, or in league with bandits in the area. It makes no sense to me that he would be fleeing danger, and further run from the first group of people most likely to be able to provide assistance.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we are on a timetable. At current, we have plenty of time, but who knows how long this jaunt into the woods will take. The rest of the day? What will we find elsewhere, and how long will that take? We need to make for Meenlock Prison, and if we find opportunity to come back this way, perhaps we can investigate further then.

With that, Ferdwhipple resumes scanning the woods, trying to prevent the party being taken unawares.

[DarkOne-Rob]

The party continues on, eventually leaving the woods behind. As dusk falls the rain stops and everyone makes camp. It is a cool night, and the damp is a bit unpleasant.

The sun rises the next day to a pleasant looking sky, the rain from yesterday forgotten. Leaving shortly after dawn, the party reaches their destination around mid morning.

Two six-foot-tall decorative stone pillars flank a wide first avenue that proceeds north for two hundred yards. On either side thick fog collects in the depressed hollows of overgrown vineyards. An imposing stone building stands at the avenue's far end.

The dirt road loops into a wide circle before the enormous chateau. Three stories tall and at least 150 feet wide, the building is weathered but maintains an imposing presence. Ancient vines bite into its face, giving the overall appearance of a single stone block rooted to the earth by erupting vines.

As you approach, a handsome, clean-shaven man dressed in a gray uniform with epaulets on the shoulders exits the building. "Good afternoon, gentlemen," he cries out as you approach. "We are not accustomed to many visitors. Who are you and what is your business here?"

[MuffinMan]

"Hail and well met! I am Zalophar, son of Ruehar, and these are my associates." Zalophar steps forward to address the uniformed man. "The details of who we are are not important, but our errand is quite urgent indeed."

Clearing his throat and rummaging through his bag for the sealed envelope, Zalophar continues, "Our company has been hired to complete a task. We have journeyed here from Heerfur, where a man named Tarrow Shick has engaged us to escort two prisoners from this very chateau back to his home for safekeeping. There they are to await a further transfer."

"Shick said you'd wouldn't have heard of this until now, but these documents should set everything in order. I have here the prisoners' release papers." He waves the envelope and extends it towards the uniformed officer.

[Farmerbink]

Ferdwhipple rides to the side of the cart, nearer to the approaching guard, but stays his tongue. He's much more interested in the guard's reaction, as he opens and reads the documents.

Spoiler: Game mechs

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sense motive +6

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Ferdwhipple Sense Motive Check

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(1d20+6)[22] Sense Motive
(1d20+11)[19] Bluff by "Mr. Fine"
Ferdwhipple's Sense Motive check passes.

Ferdwhipple gets the feeling that something is up with Mr. Fine. (Sense Motive Check passed, Mr. Fine is bluffing about something.)

"Release papers? Well, that is unusual...I am Mr. Fine, but you don't need to speak to me, you need to speak to Mr. Rook inside. He is closing a valuable business deal with a new client at the moment, but I am sure we can fit you into his schedule this morning." The man looks at the cart and mules, purses his face, and then continues, "We don't have a stable or barn here, so if you will just hitch your animals and cart over to the side of the building there." He gestures off to the left between one of the vineyards and the building. Then he turns and heads into the building through a large set of doors on the right side of the front of the building. "When you are ready, please meet me inside here."

[Farmerbink]

Very well, sir. We will be right there.

As the group heads to the aforementioned spot, Ferdwhipple quietly addresses the party.

Something is very amiss here. I know not why, but this is certainly not standard fare for this place. As we hitch the cart and animals, I'm going to take a look at these papers we've been carrying. If they say what they should, I will be highly apologetic to this Mr. Rook, but methinks he will understand my concern. Above all else, under no circumstances should we allow ourselves to be parted. I think Tarrow Shick has no desire for us to return, with or without any other persons.

Turning to Braddock: Suddenly I find myself quite glad for a little extra muscle. I apologize again for my previous disgruntlement.

Stretching his hand toward Zalophar, if I may?

[JWallyR]

Braddock nods at Ferdwhipple, then scowls at the entrance before wordlessly turning to secure his horse, making sure to keep the rest of his gear on him. He quietly dons his spiked gauntlet (hiding it behind a fold of cloak) and loosens his shield for easy access.

[MuffinMan]

Zalophar is visibly torn as he looks down on the sealed papers, turning them over in his hand. "Ordinarily I wouldn't hear of it, but too many odd things have happened on this trip. I have a feeling you may be right, Ferdie... and we're no good to Shick if we bungle this job somehow. He's already trusting us with a sensitive mission, I suppose a quick look at these won't hurt."

As Zal starts reluctantly handing the papers to Ferwhipple, his expression brightens as he suddenly remembers something. "Besides, Shick never said we couldn't look at them."

[Farmerbink]

Winking at Zalophar, at this point, my friend, it wouldn't have stopped me.

After taking the letter from Zalophar's extended hands, he carefully breaks the seal with his dagger, trying to not cut the paper too much.

He draws out the enclosed letter, and reads.

[DarkOne-Rob]

The document resembles an order or bill. Reading it through, it appears that "Mr. Rook" is the correct person to contact at the prison, and that the two prisoners are to be released into the custody of the party holding this document. Both of the prisoners names are listed, and no further details about them; Lyle Benedict and "Blessed of Pelor."

The party members are not mentioned by name, nor are there any directions given except to release the prisoners to the party. No payment is expected (the account is up to date), nor is there any sign from the document that this should be challenging at all.

[Farmerbink]

Ferdwhipple quietly reads the text out loud to the party.

Interesting. I'm honestly more surprised to find that the documents appear legitimate than I would be to find something entirely different. I still don't trust this place. Perhaps they have an arrangement with Mr. Shick via other means. I still would keep arms and shields at the ready within these walls. My instincts tell me they are easier to pass inwards than out. Let us see what Mr. Rook has to say, perhaps our stop here may yet be brief. I, for one, will feel much better with this place behind me.

He folds the papers back and places them in the envelope, making no deliberate effort to hide the fact that it has been opened.

(ready to head up to the manor doors, preferably not first in line)

[JWallyR]

Braddock nods at Ferd before readying his shield.

Let's get on with it, then.

Braddock walks up to open the door with his gauntleted fist with a pointed look over his shoulder at the rest of the party.

[MuffinMan]

Shrugging off his backpack, Zal hesitates for a moment over his shortbow before tossing it, the quiver, and the pack in the back of the cart.

As he shrugs his shoulders to loosen them and stretches his arms, he reaches up to adjust his sword hilt and ease the blade in its sheathe. "I too am surprised. Everything seems above-board, but that's a highly generic description of our party, and something about this place still seems off..."

In a lower voice, meeting eyes with each of the others, he continues "Ferdie's right, these men are not our friends. We go in, get the prisoners, and get out. No running off alone, and stay sharp." Taking a deep breath, he squares his shoulders and walks up to Braddock at the door, nodding to him as he steps through first.

[JWallyR]

Braddock wordlessly slips in behind Zal.

[Farmerbink]

Ferdwhipple steps in behind Zalophar, with his shield on his arm and his hand near a dagger.

Well, one thing's for sure. This is going to be memorable.

[Untarr]

Ark follows the rest of them inside. He whispers to Ferdwhipple:

Why would a person named "Blessed of Pelor" be in prison? I knew a Cleric of Pelor, he was a good man. Almost to a fault. I cannot imagine any follower of that god deserving to be in a prison of good report.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Entering the building you find a simple but clean passageway with several doors off to the sides. The first door on the right is open, and inside the party finds a rather large and well furnished parlor room leading into an office. The office is brightly lit and richly appointed with a large mahogany desk, several plush chairs, and a sizable couch.

Inside the office is Mr. Fine and two other gentlemen. Sitting behind the desk is a handsome dark-haired man. The other man, opposite him, is a well dressed obese man seated in an ornate leather-padded chair. His laughter coils puffs of cigar smoke into the already foggy room. The man behind the desk rises from his seat and moves to shake the hands of the party.

"Well, greetings! I am Mr. Rook. My associate Mr. Fine has already informed me that you come with an unusual request. What can I do for you?"

[MuffinMan]

Zalophar's eyes start to water at the smoke in the room, and he stifles a cough into his hand. "Well met, Mr. Rook. Indeed you might call our errand unusual. We have been commission by a man, Tarrow Shick, to oversee the transfer of two prisoners from this facility to his home in Heerfur, and to be discreet about it. My associate here has the release papers for the prisoners" he says, gesturing to Ferdwhipple.